The work of Peter Saville and Ben Kelly may be found, amongst other places, at the current 'Designing Modern Britain' exhibition at the Design Museum in London which continues until 26 November.

Their work slots into the '1980s - Designing Modern Leisure' section of the exhibition and the blurb is thus: "The paradigm was the Haçienda, a nightclub opened in 1982 in a disused Manchester yacht showroom by the local band New Order and its independent record label, Factory Records. The label was already renowned for the beautifully stylised graphics of its creative director Peter Saville, who asked a friend, Ben Kelly, to design the club. Kelly stripped the building to iron pillars and girders, then accentuated its industrial character by adding checker plate flooring and road bollards. He created what Saville described as an "industrial entertainment zone" which became the blueprint for the warehouse parties of the late 1980s and for 1990s super clubs, such as Cream in Liverpool and London's Ministry of Sound."

www.designmuseum.org

Labels: Ben_Kelly, Factory_Records, New_Order

Section 25 have added another live date to those already confirmed in Poulton-le-Fylde, Blackpool and Brussels. This one's at The Attik in Leicester on 7 July 2006. Ticket details to be confirmed.

The Attik
15 Free Lane
Leicester LE1 1JX
Tel: 0116 2223800
www.the-attik.co.uk
www.section25.com

Labels: Section_25

If you enjoyed the Manchester Passion (or even if you didn't or you didn't catch it at all) you might like to check out these links on the BBC Three website with details of the cast, a photo gallery and message board on which to discuss it all.

You may not have noticed them but John Metcalfe and Louisa Fuller from the Duke Quartet were playing on stage in Albert Square as part of the string section.

Labels: John_Metcalfe

'Torn Apart', the long-awaited book by Mick Middles and Lindsay Read about the life of Ian Curtis is published in hardback on 30 April. The 400 page book is published by Omnibus Press and examines "his life, his work, his relationships and the cultural environment in which he lived and died".

ISBN: 1844498263
Buy it now from Amazon.co.uk

Sticking with Joy Division, Jake Kennedy's book 'Joy Division and the making of Unknown Pleasures' is currently on sale at Fopp for a miserly 2.99 GBP. The book tells the story of the making of Joy Division's debut album and is #9 in the Vinyl Frontier series.

Labels: books, Joy_Division

1995 - FAC 2.01 A Factory Sample Too is released by Factory Too and features tracks by K-Track, The Orch, East West Coast and Italian Love Party. Peter Hook later complains that never got paid for releasing the last of these bands.

2006 - Ben Evans and Graeme Brooker (ex-Italian Love Party), together with Jasper Wilkinson are recording together as Autopilot and are set to release 'Smokescreens' on a compilation album due out in the summer on Timbreland Recordings out of Manchester (also the home to Josephine Oniyama, the singer who once supported The Durutti Column). Check out a preview of this track and another called 'All In Our Hands' on their MySpace site at www.myspace.com/iamyourautopilot.

Labels: Peter_Hook, The_Durutti_Column

A Certain Ratio have confirmed three dates on consecutive nights in continental Europe at the end of June:

30 June - Mofo Festival, Mains d'Oeuvres, Paris
1 July - Petrol Club, Antwerp
2 July - Paradiso, Amsterdam [12.50 Euros, 23:00 start]

Join in the discussion about these dates on the Cerysmatic Factory Message Board.

Don't forget that ACR also play two dates in Scotland next weekend as part of the Triptych Festival:

A Certain Ratio / JD Twitch
Saturday 29 April, The Bongo Club, Edinburgh
11.00 GBP
Book now

Optimo: A Certain Ratio / JD Twitch & JG Wilkes
Sunday 30 April, Sub Club, Glasgow
12.00 GBP

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio

Section 25 have invited Kevin Hewick to open for them at their Over the Edge reunion show at Poulton-le-Fylde on 19 May 2006.

Speaking to Cerysmatic Factory, Kevin said, "It's a great honour to join the band at this historic event, their first live appearence in nearly two decades.

I have many good memories of being on bills with them in the early 80s at the Scala Cinema and ICA in London, the New Osborne club in Manchester and The Princess Cinema in Blackpool. I also recall a storming set from them in that era at Nottingham Rock City.

And, not least, Section 25 were always good to me and gave me much support and encouragement in those amazing but confusing times for the younger, more foolhardy Hewick.

Those memories are important but this is also so about the now. Both Section 25 and I are very fired up about our new music. Neither they nor I are bygone footnotes in the Factory story. We are still standing and still creating and eager to play to friends old and new in the 21st Century.

I'm also hoping to soon confirm yet another live date with Section 25 in July in Leicester."

Kevin is also playing at Alan McGee's Death Disco at the Notting Hill Arts Centre, London on 7 June 2004. The other act on the bill is Movement, a Manchester band.

Labels: Kevin_Hewick, Section_25

Get Loaded In The Park returns to Clapham Common in London on Sunday 27 August 2006. For the first time there's no Happy Mondays but instead you get Baby Shambles, Buzzcocks, De La Soul, Adamski, The Slits, British Sea Power, Terry Hall, "The Haçienda Sound System" featuring Peter Hook, N-Joi (live), Graeme Park and Bez plus many more artists.

www.getloadedinthepark.com for more info.

Labels: Happy_Mondays, Peter_Hook

It is a pleasure to announce more details on Section 25's reunion gig in Poulton-le-Fylde on Friday 19 May 2006. Also, a couple of other dates have been announced.

Entrance to the reunion gig at 'Over The Edge' is by Guest List only with a donation to Larry's charity of choice, The Deaf Society. For more information please contact Cerysmatic Factory.

'Over The Edge'
22 Hardhorn Rd
Poulton-le-Fylde
Lancs FY6 7SR
Tel: 01253 882015
Map
Doors open 8pm

Section 25 will also play the No.1 Club in Blackpool (next door to the football ground on Bloomfield Rd) on Saturday 3 June 2006. This one is pay on the door only (price and support to be confirmed).

No. 1 Club
Bloomfield Road
Blackpool
Lancashire FY1 6JL
Map

Finally, they play Le Botanique in Brussels, Belgium on 24 June 2006:

Le Botanique
Centre Culturel de la Communauté Wallonie-Bruxelles
rue Royale, 236
1210 Bruxelles
Belgique
Tel: +32 (0)2 /218.37.32
www.botanique.be

According to their official newsletter, The Young Offenders Institute are about to return to live action, having spent the last few months rehearsing and recording:

Saturday 22 April - Death 2 The DJ at 15, Bolton. Our Fold and The Drainpipes support.

Sunday 7 May - The Louisiana, Bristol

Tuesday 9 May - Channel M Showcase @ Academy 3, Manchester. This is expected to sell out so buy your tickets now from www.ticketline.co.uk, or from the Union without any booking fee (0161-275-2930)

Monday 15 May - Sugarmill, Stoke. 3.00 GBP a ticket for this one.

They'll also be relaunching www.youngoffendersinstitute.com soon but in the meantime, get all your info from these emails or from www.myspace.com/youngoffendersinstitute

New Order are to play the Summer Pops 06 on Saturday 8 July 2006 at the Liverpool Big Top Arena.

Doors Open: 7.00pm
Main Box Office: 0870 151 4000
Tickets on sale: 9am 21 April 2006

Labels: New_Order

Exclusive New Order promotional material, signed by all band members, is being auctioned on eBay by a group of FC United Manchester fans to raise money for Alex, an 8-year-old boy who has cerebral palsy.

www.unitedforalex.com

Labels: New_Order

simonreynolds.net reports that the Rip It Up and Start Again compilation, inspired by Simon Reynolds's book of the same name, will be released on 15 May 2006 on V2.

The final, Crépuscule-tinged, tracklistlisting includes The Fall 'Fiery Jack', Cabaret Voltaire 'Sluggin' For Jesus Part 1', Josef K 'Sense of Guilt', The Raincoats 'Only Loved At Night', The Human League 'Dancevision', The Associates 'White Car In Germany', John Cooper Clarke 'Beasley Street' and The Blue Orchids 'Dumb Magician'.

Thanks to AJ.

Labels: Cabaret_Voltaire

Check out the official website of Kooky Records, the label that has released various albums by The Durutti Column - www.kookydisc.co.uk [Macromedia Flash Player 8 required]. Many of you will be pleased to learn that there is a full, Paypal-driven, online shop where you can buy cds.

Many thanks to Phil Cleaver and Alex McMurtrie @ Kooky.

Labels: A_Certain_Ratio, The_Durutti_Column

A change to the line-up for this event sees Shaun Ryder replaced by Anthony Wilson and Clint Boon. Full details as follows:

Wilson House Presents:
In association with 97.7 XFM Manchester
FAC 471: Hallelujah - A Celebration of Madchester

Featuring:

808 State DJ set
A Guy Called Gerald
Jon Da Silva
Bez
Clint Boon
Anthony Wilson

+ Very special guests

Saturday 13 May 2006
10pm till 3.30am
Madchester Academy 1
Oxford Road
Madchester
Tickets 17.50 GBP

www.ticketline.co.uk
Student Union Box Office - 0161 275 2930
Piccadilly Box Office St Ann's Square - 0161 832 1111
Eastern Bloc - 0161 228 6432

"Hallelujah: - As the summer sun rises over Madchester once again, acid-fuelled memories of baggy pants, bandanas and smiley-face t shirts become reality, and the city gets ready to party like its 1988. Think back to the days when Mondays were Happy, 808 was the name of a state and Haçienda was more than just a Spanish word - to an era that produced the most definitive soundtrack ever, for each generation to follow. 808 State, Jon Da Silva and A Guy Called Gerald lead the revolution in the clubs, while Clint Boon and the Freaky Dancin' Bez lead the revolution on the stage. Oh, and there was some label called Factory Records run by a guy called Anthony Wilson. And for one summer evening only, Madchester is back "in the area", with all six legendary outfits taking to the stage once more - for the party of the decade... And God made Madchester."

Labels: FAC471, Factory_Records, Happy_Mondays

Channel 4 in the UK is broadcasting New Order's New York City gig from 5 May 2005.

The show is on early Sunday morning 9 April from 01:55 - 03:25.

Labels: New_Order

The promotional machine is in full swing for The Haçienda Classics, the new 3CD set compiled and mixed by Peter Hook and Phil Beckett. Not only is there a TV ad campaign but there's an official website too at www.thehaciendamustbebuilt.co.uk [where, amongst other things, you can check out the aforementioned ad if you can't see it on the telly].

The website isn't to be confused with www.thehaciendamustbebuilt.com which is the site through which you can still buy reprints of the great book FAC 351 The Haçienda Must Be Built.

Labels: FAC51_The_Hacienda, Peter_Hook

Iconoclast announce the Lille, France opening of Beautiful Losers: Contemporary Art and Street Culture

Opening Party 12 April 2006
6.00pm

at Le Tri Postale
Avenue Willy Brandt
Lille
France

Exhibition will open to the public
from 13th April until 2nd July 2006
from 1pm until 8.00pm Tuesdays through Sundays
closed on Mondays

More info at exposkate.com/ and
iconoclastusa.com

The exhibition follows successful American and Italian runs and features the work Ed Templeton.

Manchester Passion, a modern retelling of the Easter story set to Manchester music from Joy Division via The Smiths to Oasis, is to be hosted by Keith Allen according to the BBC. Manchester connections run deep with the actor (The Comic Strip Presents 'Gino: Full Story and Pics', Manchester gangster movie 'Shooting Stars', rag trade drama 'Making Out', 24 Hour Party People) and occasional songwriter (World In Motion) who is a long-time friend of New Order.

The Factory connections don't end there because Tim Booth (ex-James) is to play the role of Judas.

Other stars' names, such as Bez, were mooted when the Passion idea was first conceived but it seems most were never going to participate or have since withdrawn.

Labels: Joy_Division, New_Order, The_Names

Following on from its residency at the Museum of Science and Industry Manchester, the dvd of the StoryRooms exhibition curated by Andrea Zapp will soon be available. It will contain a 45 minute film about the show and special features including direct access to the artists' chapters, two new video artworks by the directors Dave Griffiths and Nick Jordan, created in response to the exhibition, a downloadable 30 minute installation soundtrack, written and played by Vini Reilly, and an illustrated booklet with introductions and in-depth work descriptions.

The DVD can be ordered from early May onwards (price GBP 15.99) via:

Cornerhouse Publications
70 Oxford Street
Manchester M1 5NH
UK
email: publications@cornerhouse.org
tel: +44 (0)161 200 1503
fax: +44 (0)161 200 1504
www.cornerhouse.org/publications

Plus...

StoryRooms - The Event
Wednesday, 10 May 2006
8.00 pm
Mintlounge
46-50 Oldham Street
Manchester:

A very special party to launch the exhibition DVD on Interactive Networks, Media Art and Installations.

An Invitation to re-explore surreal and fascinating interactive media artworks that have been previously exhibited at the Museum of Science and Industry - one of which will be back for the evening!

Plus live performance and music highlights on stage:

Almost ... is the a story of a giant and her tiny one foot charge. Bound together for life, and stuck with a house that won't sell, this three dimensional digital comedy blusters on about white walls, missed opportunities and the evil forces that are estate agents. Written and performed by Mary Oliver.

Followed by Illuminati and Disco Operating System... collaborating on a unique improvised electronic piece of music together with visuals from Hollowsphere/VJ Fusion.

Supported by the Arts Council England/North West.
Entry free

--

Many thanks to Andrea Zapp for info.

Labels: New_Order

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